The Keio Jr. Winter Cup 2024-25, held on January 6, 2024, reached its third day featuring exhilarating contests among junior high school basketball teams. This year’s tournament saw both the boys and girls divisions battling fiercely for the title of national champions among junior high school athletes.
One standout performance came from 京都精華学園中学校, which aimed for back-to-back championships. The team dominated their competition by scoring record-high points, including achieving 112 points against 松徳学院中学校. Player 石綿文 made headlines with remarkable stats, contributing significantly to the team’s overall success. Combined, her performance over the two matches totaled 39 points, 23 rebounds, and 9 assists — showcasing her all-around skills and dominance on the court.
樟蔭中学校 had its ups and downs during the tournament. The team was seeking to capitalize on their previous success, finishing as runners-up at last year’s 全国中学校 バスケットボール大会. This year, they faced significant challenges after losing key players wearing numbers four and five. New captain 仲柚珠喜, stepping up to lead the squad, emphasized the importance of communication: "At first, it was tough to align our play together, so we needed to communicate effectively as a team. Everyone followed me, which made me very happy," she reflected.
The team showcased resilience and tenacity, winning their first two matches against tough opponents such as 今治オレンジブロッサムジュニア and 横浜ビー・コルセアーズ U15女子. But their run came to an end when they faced the towering F unite, succumbing to them with a score of 43-55. Despite the loss, 仲 remained positive, noting, "Everyone chased the ball diligently and played with smiles, which is the essence of 樟蔭's basketball. Our coach, 岡田済子, constantly reminded us to play with smiles till the end, and we stayed true to this mantra."
四日市メリノール学院中学校 also had noteworthy performances, with players shining like 白谷柱誠ジャック delivering stellar performances game after game. He recorded double-doubles consistently, exemplifying his prowess with 34 points and 28 rebounds against 金沢学院クラブU15.
RIZINGS徳島 marked their first ascent to the semifinals, showcasing talent and grit through their players. の平岡泰介 and 岩朝ローマ led their team with impressive performances, helping the squad reach unprecedented heights for their program. Their victory over established B-League teams helped illuminate their potential on the national stage.
Highlighting the dynamics often observed within these competitions, fans were treated to nail-biting moments. The three rounds and quarterfinals were filled with action as teams rotated through their strategies, did so with passion, crafting stories of teamwork and brotherhood on the court.
The thrill of the matches was palpable, especially during those close ones, when every rebound counted. 경기에서 樟蔭 struggled against F unite, facing off against bigger players like 175 cm tall 舟久保 and 174 cm tall 古屋, who racked up rebounds against them. The bans of victory echoed as the games progressed, painting the canvas of glory, struggles, and aspirations for the upcoming tournaments.
With the semifinals approaching, fans awaited the anticipated matchups, including 京都精華学園中学校 versus 北九州市立菊陵中学校 and 四日市メリノール学院中学校 against HOOPS4HOPE, adding more excitement to this already jam-packed tournament.
Reflecting on the championship, each team understands the importance of joy throughout their journeys. They are determined to grow, not just as players, but as members of their respective schools and the basketball community. The experiences gained here will cultivate the skills and character necessary as they strive toward their aspirations, aiming for the title of national champions at future competitions.
The players embrace the challenge, reminding themselves to maintain smiles even when the stakes are high. With team spirit guiding them, 樟蔭中学校 is set to continue their quest for excellence, fostering determination and unity as they pursue their dreams of becoming the best.